Northrop Grumman X-47B

Northrop Grumman X-47B

LandUsa
RolleUbemandet kampfly
Første flyvning4. februar 2011
Bygget2

Den Northrop Grumman X-47B er et demonstrationsluftfartøj til ubemandet kamp (UCAV) designet til hangarskibsbaserede operationer. X-47-projektet blev udviklet af det amerikanske forsvarsteknologifirma Northrop Grumman og begyndte som en del af DARPAs J-UCAS-program og blev efterfølgende en del af United States Navy's Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) -program. X-47B er et haleløst jetdrevet fly med blandet vingekrop, der er i stand til semi-autonom drift og lufttankning.

Kilde: Northrop Grumman X-47B på Wikipedia

Northrop Grumman X-47B UCAS-D Gå rundt
FotografVladimir Yakubov
LokaliseringEdwards Air Force Base Air Show
Billeder51
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General Characteristics and Role

The Northrop Grumman X-47B was an experimental, tailless, stealth-optimized jet aircraft developed under the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Combat Air System Demonstration (UCAS-D) program. Its primary role was to demonstrate the feasibility of operating an autonomous, high-endurance, fixed-wing aircraft from an aircraft carrier. The X-47B pioneered several critical naval aviation technologies, including autonomous catapult launch, arrested recovery, and autonomous aerial refueling, proving that uncrewed, large-scale systems could fully integrate into carrier operations. Its design is characterized by its distinct “flying wing” shape, which minimizes radar visibility.

Property Typical Value (X-47B Demonstrator)
Rolle Experimental Autonomous Carrier-Based UCAV
National Origin USA
Producent Northrop Grumman
First Flight 3 February 2011
Besætning 0 (Autonomous or Ground-Controlled)
Længde 11.63 m (38 ft 2 in)
Wingspan (Unfolded) 18.92 m (62 ft 1 in)
Wingspan (Folded) 9.41 m (30 ft 10 in)
Maximum Takeoff Weight Approx. 20,000 kg (44,000 lb)

Powerplant and Carrier Capabilities

  • Engine: 1 x Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220U turbofan engine.
  • Key Carrier Milestones: In July 2013, the X-47B completed the world’s first autonomous arrested landing on the deck of an aircraft carrier (USS George H.W. Bush). It later demonstrated autonomous catapult launch and in 2015, completed the first autonomous aerial refueling with a KC-707 tanker.
  • Stealth Features: The tailless configuration and the placement of the engine inlet atop the fuselage contribute to its very low observable (VLO) stealth characteristics.
  • Endurance: The platform was designed for very long endurance, potentially allowing for orbit times far exceeding those of crewed fighters.
  • Weapons Bay: The airframe included two internal weapons bays, capable of carrying approximately 2,000 kg (4,500 lb) of ordnance.

Program Outcome and Legacy

  • Success: The UCAS-D program was highly successful, validating every key technology required for a large, unmanned, stealthy platform to operate seamlessly within a carrier air wing.
  • Retirement: The program concluded in 2015, as its goal was technology demonstration, not production. The Navy opted to use the lessons learned to pursue the Carrier-Based Air Refueling System (CBARS) program, which evolved into the MQ-25 Stingray.
  • Influence: The X-47B’s autonomous capabilities and aerodynamic design are considered foundational for the development of the next generation of U.S. Navy and Air Force unmanned platforms.
  • Preservation: The two X-47B airframes are now preserved: one is at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland, and the other is at the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City.

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